At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the legal team and provide strategic legal advice across various areas.
- Company: Join a leading Armed Forces charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Generous salary, flexible working, 28 days holiday, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with guaranteed interview schemes for eligible candidates.
- Why this job: Shape legal services and influence strategy at the highest level.
- Qualifications: Experienced UK-qualified solicitor with at least 10 years PQE.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 84452 £ per year.
Contract Type: Fixed Term: 6 months
Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week
Salary: £70,000 to £84,452 per annum pro rata (Inclusive of Market and London supplements)
We are looking for an Interim Head of Legal to lead the RBL Legal Team and act as the organisation’s principal legal adviser. This Head of Legal role will take ownership of legal strategy and delivery across a broad portfolio including charity law matters, commercial contracts, governance, regulatory compliance and data protection.
As Head of Legal, you will work closely with the Chief of Staff, Executive Team and Board of Trustees, providing clear, practical legal advice that supports decision‑making, manages risk and keeps the organisation compliant across the UK and overseas.
In this Head of Legal role, you will lead the Legal Team and set the direction, standards and quality of legal advice across the organisation. You will oversee key legal and regulatory risk areas including safeguarding, intellectual property, disputes, and data protection, ensuring these are properly embedded within our governance and risk frameworks.
You will also lead engagement with key regulators including the Charity Commission, ICO, FCA and Fundraising Regulator, including serious incident reporting and Audit & Risk Committee liaison where required. This is a senior leadership role with genuine breadth and influence.
You will be trusted with complex and often sensitive legal matters where judgment and clarity are essential, working at the centre of organisational decision‑making alongside senior leaders. For an experienced legal professional, this Head of Legal role offers the opportunity to shape how legal services are delivered, influence strategy at the highest level, and play a key role in how risk and governance are managed across a national organisation.
You will be an experienced UK‑qualified solicitor operating at a senior level, with multi‑discipline in‑house experience of at least 10 years PQE, ideally within the not for profit/charity sector. You will be confident working independently whilst managing a small in house team.
You will be contracted to our Haig House hub with a minimum expectation of two days per week working in person at the hub and flexibility for working remotely/at home when not on site. This is a full time post, however we are open to discussion around flexible working for the successful individual.
Employee Benefits:
- 28 day’s paid holiday (plus bank holidays) increasing with service, with optional annual leave purchase scheme of up to 5 working days
- Enhanced paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Generous pension scheme with employer contributions ranging from 6% to 14%, depending on length of service
- Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential counselling, financial and legal advice
- Range of courses delivered by learning specialists to support your development goals and objectives
- Opportunities to volunteer
- Travel loans, Cycle to Work, and more!
For more detailed information about the role, please see the Job Description attached to our direct advert. Our teams take a personalised approach to shortlisting, which is carried out without the use of AI and is based on the evidence provided in your application against the essential and desirable criteria in the Person Specification.
RBL is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organisation, reflecting the diversity of the armed forces community and of wider society. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and personal characteristics. As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interview schemes for candidates who declare an Armed Forces connection and/or a disability. However, candidates are only eligible for this scheme if their application clearly demonstrates that they meet all of the essential criteria listed in the Person Specification for the role.
We may close this vacancy early if we believe we have enough strong applications to be able to successfully fill the role. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
If you require the job advert or job description in an alternative format, please contact 0808 802 8080.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Legal
✨Get Involved in Legal Networking Events
Jump into local or virtual legal networking events to meet industry pros and get your foot in the door! Use platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup to find gatherings, as these are great for making connections and hearing about temporary roles at firms like Royal British Legion.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a simple online portfolio to showcase your legal work, whether that's case briefs, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics. This public display can really set you apart when looking for temp roles in law, especially if you can make it relevant to the work that Royal British Legion does!
✨Tap into Law School Resources
If you're near a law school, hit up their career services. They often have leads on temporary positions and can help connect you with alumni working at firms. Plus, they might host workshops or job fairs specific to the legal sector—great for scoring that temp position!
✨Stay Updated with Legal Job Boards
Regularly check specialised legal job boards like LawCareers.Net or TotallyLegal for temporary listings. Many firms post their openings directly there, and applying quickly can give you an edge over the competition when looking to join a prestigious firm like Royal British Legion.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Legal
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Know-How:In the legal services world, it's all about demonstrating your understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Make sure your CV highlights your legal training, internships, or any relevant projects you've worked on. If you've done any mooting or legal research, include those too - they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Application for the Temp Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should stress your adaptability and readiness to jump in right away. Highlight any previous temp roles where you quickly got up to speed, or any diverse experiences that show you can handle a variety of cases or tasks with ease.
Keep it Specific with Your Documents:Make sure your application includes essential legal documents, such as any relevant certifications or memberships in legal bodies. These can add credibility to your CV and show that you're serious about the profession – especially useful in a competitive field like law!
Express Your Enthusiasm in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a golden opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Let them know why you’re excited about this temporary position with Royal British Legion and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal British Legion
✨Show Off Your Legal Know-How
Prepare to discuss your understanding of legal terminology and concepts that might come up during the interview for the Head of Legal role at Royal British Legion. Brush up on relevant laws or recent cases that could be pertinent to the temporary position, as they'll likely appreciate candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to the fast-paced legal environment.
✨Talk About Your Flexibility
Since this is a temporary role, employers want to know you can hit the ground running. Be ready to highlight past experiences where you've had to quickly adapt to new tasks or work cultures. Flexibility is key in a short-term position like this, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage changing priorities efficiently.
✨Prepare for the Casework Challenge
You might face hypothetical scenarios where you'd have to advise on a legal issue or case. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as interviewers in the legal sector often expect candidates to walk them through their reasoning step-by-step. This will not only showcase your legal acumen but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial in law.
✨Pitch Your Legal Portfolio
If you have any relevant work samples, such as briefs, contracts, or legal research, this is your chance to shine! Be ready to discuss what you did, what challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This speaks volumes more than just listing your skills; it shows you're proactive and results-oriented, which is essential for a temporary role at Royal British Legion.
